Village Of Brookfield Made me responsible for my tenants bill Brookfield Illinois

I rented out a house (with a lease) and the tenants were responsible for paying all utilities. It was fine for 2 years. When the tenants were going to move out of state, I called the Village of Brookfield to have them put the bill in my name as of Dec 1st. I returned their security deposit and thought all was well. A month later I received a bill for water for the months of August through November. I called the village and asked why I got this bill for $391.79 when it was my tenants responsibility? Plus I should have been notified that the bill was not paid yet when I put it back in my name. I showed them the lease and they did acknowledge that someone else was on the account for that time. I gave them the forwarding address so they could send the bill to them. But because they did not pay the bill, I was responsible for it since I own the property. I argued this for a couple of months but I wanted to sell the property and I couldn't until I paid that bill! How unfair to have to pay for someone else's use of a utility just because I own the property. At this rate all landlords could be paying their tenants bills. This also happened with the gas bill. so I filed a report against them also. Guess this is a new way for tenants to get a bonus when they move out !!!!!

Cheryl
la grange park, Illinois
U.S.A.